I was born, raised and lived most of my life in Kansas. From 1997 until retirement April, 2006, we lived at the Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri (hence my screen name of Ladylake). After retirement, we wanted a warmer climate, so moved to the Rio Grande Valley (Mercedes), Texas.
I have been married to the same guy for forty-five years. We have a daughter and twin sons, who have given us six wonderful grandkids.
Most of my working years were secretarial in nature. Although at one time we had a small construction business and I could splice telephone cable or drive a big truck with the best of them!
Hobbies: well, after digital art, I like to read, play cards, swim and dance. Domestic chores I despise, much preferring to be outdoors flower gardening.
Well, I have loved to draw as far back as I can remember. As a youngster, one of the best Christmas gifts I ever received was a John Nagy 'Learn to Draw' kit. From there I progressed to a mural in colored chalk on an entire wall of my bedroom. That drawing, done at age twelve, was still there when we sold my parent’s home some forty+ years later!!!! Every kid should have such wonderful parents. :-) I dabbled with oils/oil pastels through the years, actually doing a few pieces worthy of hanging on a wall. Developing an allergy to the odor of oils in the early 1990’s forced me to put them away forever. In 1997 we bought our first computer and a friend gave me Paint Shop Pro. THEN I began noticing 3D images; knew I had to learn to do that. Having a 'hobby budget' Bryce seemed to be the program for me. Thus began my addiction!
I would describe my art as I describe myself..'eccentric'. Although a friend told me you could only be described as eccentric if you were rich, otherwise you were just crazy! So not being rich, I will leave you to draw your own conclusions. I think my art is a continual exploration; a mixed bag of what I see, what I learn, and what I am. Eccentric or maybe eclectic!...one of those E words!!!
I don't have any traditional classroom art background, but influences can come from a variety of sources. Most of mine have been on a personal level from here at 3DC. I will mention just a few, there are MANY.
Duncan taught me not to take myself so seriously. I loved this advice; I had posted an image and then was worrying that it was not so great He said, 'Don't worry about it, it will be gone in a week!'. Hard to take yourself very seriously after that. lol Tripper taught me about putting feelings into your art. I have learned much about mood/atmosphere from Tino. Gonedigital has taught me about simplicity; Meski, about detail. Unstart has shown me that we have much to contribute even though WE are growing older.
But the comments on my first picture posted at 3DCommune is probably what influenced me the most, the welcome I got when I first came here. I think without this, I may not have ever gotten up the courage to post again. And that Paul (Pinhead) was among those commenting was a 'high' I will NEVER forget.
I have Flash 5(sits on a shelf), Poser 4, and Bryce versions 5, 5.5, and 6. I use version 5.5 almost entirely. I also have PSP and have had that since version 7. It was my first 'art-type' program and I love it. Lately I have been experimenting with the free version of Terragen just to see if I would like that.
As for programs I would like to have, that would be the latest Poser and a modeling program. I haven't even gotten around to trying some of the free modeling programs though, so it might end up as a shelf sitter also. LOL
Where do I see myself going with my art in the future? Ah, that is an easy one......wherever it leads me. I have no specific goals in mind; that is what makes this so exciting. No pressure, no stress, just fun.